Scott Nutter

Principal, Touch & Go Solutions

Scott Nutter is a thirty-seven-year veteran of the aviation industry. His career began upon graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1986 with multiple degrees, a commercial pilot certificate, and a CFI. Scott spent a year as a general aviation flight instructor and charter pilot, earning his ATP in 1988.

As a professional pilot, Scott flew turbine aircraft for several corporations and a business aircraft manufacturer. Roles included: First Officer, Captain, Chief Pilot, Senior Demonstration Captain, and Aviation Department Manager.

Mr. Nutter transitioned to training full-time in 1996 when he joined FlightSafety International as a ground, simulator, and aircraft instructor. Two years later, Scott took a position as an MD-11 instructor at Delta Air Lines. It was during this time that he learned the business of pilot training and earned professional credentials in disciplines related to training and performance improvement.

In 2008, Scott assumed responsibility for the pilot and instructor training programs at Delta and continued in that role until his retirement in late 2020. He was responsible for the systems and processes associated with pilot training curricula, courseware development, and training evaluation systems. Mr. Nutter managed the Delta Aircrew Training Center for seven years which held FAA 142, JAA TRTO, and CAAC 142 certifications, serving customers from over thirty countries.

In addition to FAA pilot and instructor certificates, Scott has served as a Training Center Evaluator/Check Airman and FAA Designated Examiner. He holds professional certifications from the Association for Training and Development, the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and PROSCI.

Mr. Nutter now operates Touch & Go Solutions, a professional services company specializing in aviation training systems and improving operational performance. He lives in the Atlanta, Georgia, area with his wife, Gigi, and a small menagerie of animals.

The Flywheel Effect - Turning Data Into Results

The “Virtuous Cycle” concept has been used in industry since the early 1900s. The idea that “a chain of events in which one desirable occurrence leads to another which further promotes the first occurrence and so on resulting in a continuous process of improvement” originated in manufacturing.

An industry-specific version of the virtuous cycle has been developed to help airline training professionals understand how they can use a systems approach to turning data into business results. The simple framework is easy to understand and does not require a high degree of data literacy. However, digging into the details of the model reveals decades of lessons learned and nuanced aspects of the process that data specialists and continuous improvement professionals will appreciate.

Actual airline scenarios will be used to illustrate how the model works. The presentation will focus on making Big Data easier to understand and apply in air carrier training.